BERLIN, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Borussia Monchengladbach has signed Japan midfielder Zento Uno from Shimizu S-Pulse to strengthen its defensive midfield options for the new Bundesliga season, the club announced on Thursday.
The 22-year-old completed his medical before signing a contract until June 30, 2030, becoming the latest recruit for the Foals.
Uno arrives after two J-League seasons and his first senior appearances for Japan, having earned his only two caps at the 2025 East Asian Championship against China and South Korea.
Sporting director Rouven Schroeder said the club was adding a physically robust ball-winner to its midfield.
"Zento is a defensively minded, tactically disciplined midfielder, strong in duels and running, whose greatest strengths are in the game against the ball," Schroeder said. "After two seasons in the J-League and his first appearances for the Japanese national team, the move to the Bundesliga is the next, but also demanding, step for him."
Schroeder said Gladbach believed Uno has the character and ambition to manage that step.
Uno said the transfer fulfilled a long-held ambition. "I have always wanted to play in the Bundesliga," Uno said. "Borussia is a big club and is very well known in Japan because of its Japanese players. When the offer came, it was clear to me that I absolutely wanted to play for Borussia."
Gladbach had already signed Enzo Leopold from Hannover 96 on a free transfer, while Uno also helps cover the midfield exits of Rocco Reitz and Yannik Engelhardt.
The Foals finished 12th last season with 38 points from 34 matches, recording nine wins, 11 draws and 14 defeats. ■
